March 24

On March 24, 1832, Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, visited Hiram, Ohio, where he was violently accosted by a group of locals. The mob captured Smith’s associate Sidney Rigdon and subjected them to tarring and feathering, a humiliating and painful punishment. This incident underscored the deep prejudice and suspicion toward the nascent Mormon community. Despite the brutality, Smith continued his religious work, eventually relocating and solidifying the movement’s base. The attack remains a stark example of early religious intolerance on the American frontier.

On March 24, 1961, the Quebec government created the Board of the French Language (Office de la langue française) to promote the use of French in education, commerce, and government. This initiative emerged during the Quiet Revolution, a period of rapid social and cultural change in the province. The board set guidelines for French signage, publishing, and professional communication to counter the dominance of English. It laid the groundwork for subsequent language policies, including Bill 101, reinforcing Quebec’s identity and linguistic rights. The establishment of the board marked a key moment in the province’s efforts to protect and celebrate its francophone heritage.

On March 24, 1998, Mitchell Johnson (11) and Andrew Golden (13) entered Westside Middle School in Jonesboro, Arkansas and began shooting at teachers and students. Armed with handguns stolen from Golden's father, the boys moved through the hallways, firing indiscriminately into classrooms. The attack resulted in the deaths of five people and left ten others wounded. It was one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history at the time and sparked national debates on gun control and juvenile crime. Investigators examined how two pre-teens obtained firearms and planned the assault. In the aftermath, the tragedy led to reforms in school security measures, mental health support, and parental responsibility laws.

On March 24, 2018, students nationwide organized March for Our Lives demonstrations to press for gun control reforms in the United States. The movement was sparked by the February 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Rallies took place in major cities, with participants calling for universal background checks, bans on assault weapons, and other measures. Organizers emphasized youth leadership and the urgent need to protect students from gun violence. The events drew massive media coverage and pressured lawmakers to consider new legislation. March for Our Lives became one of the largest youth-led movements in U.S. history and continued advocacy in the years that followed.